Jain Journal 2001 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 27

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JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXVI, No. 1 July 2001
10th and 13th centuries, found through out Tamilnadu, are generally believed to be depictions of Mahāvīra. This popular belief cannot be summarily rejected as most of them have sturdy physique and horizontal contour of shoulders. Invaraiably, these are in ardhaparyankāsana and contain the usual paraphernalia. Among such examples, those from Puliyuran, Chettipatti, Tirunarungondai and Tiirumālai deserve special mention. The specimen from Puliyuran, now on display in the Madurai Museum, represents Mahävira seated in ardhaparyankāsana and flanked by camaradaris on either side. His head is surrounded by a makara torana-like prabhavali and topped by a triple umbrella. Lovely creeper designs fill up the space above. Its muscular body, broad shoulders, squarish face etc., reflect the 10th century style of the Cholas. The Chetupatti sculpture, also of the same age, is simple and devoid of all accessory motifs. Besides, it bears a smiling countenance in contrast to the calm appearance of the Puliyuran image. At Tirumalai, Mahāvīra is shown seated in penance under the shade of a pipal tree with a flaming arch around his head and a trichatra above. Ornamental decorations on the triple umbrella and on the person of chauri bearers are minute and elaborate. This icon of Mahāvīra carries the best art tradition of the 13th century A.D.
The growing popularity of the worship of Mahāvira is also echoed in literary compositions like Jivakacintamani. Jivaka, the hero of the work, is said to have offered worship to an image of Vardhamāna installed in a temple. 16 Besides, the renowned ascetic Ajjanandi is stated to have attained nirvana by meditating upon the lotus feet of Lord Mahāvīra. 17 Iconographic details of the Jina are also given in many poems of this devotional literature. 18
Fresh impetus was given to the worship of Mahavira from about the 15th century A.D., the beginning of which is also mirrored in Sripuränam, a Tamil rendering of the Sanskrit Mahāpurāna. It vividly picturises Mahāvīra's birth to Siddhartha and Priyakarani, his janmabhiseka performed by Indra, his encounters with god Sanghama and Sulapāni and finally his attainment of parinirvana at Pāvāpuri (pawaya). 19 In order to gain popular appeal to the story of Mahāvīra, an interesting episode is highlighted in some poems. Accordingly, when his janmabhiseka was done by Indra on the summits of mount Meru, a few drops of water entered into the baby's nostrils, causing him
16. Jivaka-cintamani, verses, 3007-3011, 3552-3555. 17. Ibid., verse, 409. 18. Ibid., verse, 3010-3011. 19. Śripurānam, pp. 619-622.
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